THE two local gig clubs Calstock and Tamar and Tavy took five crews to London to take part in the amazing Great London River Race.

The first challenge was to get the gigs safely to the docks and the crews to the campsite - or hotels for the less hardy. For those camping there was singing along to the Dutch Brass Band on the first night and dancing the night away in the marquee the next with the usual excellent camaraderie you get at all rowing events.

The 21 mile race, established in 1988, attracted more than 300 crews this year from all over the world. The start was at Londons Docklands and the finish at Richmond passing by such famous landmarks as the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye and going under 36 bridges.

The conditions were good but a complete contrast to the tranquil River Tamar. The race is run on a 'slowest first, fastest last' pursuit basis and includes all sorts of boats from Viking longships, Naval Whalers, Thames Cutters to of course Cornish Pilot gigs which are one of the fastest groups of boats.

All the crews have been training really hard for the last few months and it certainly paid off with some fantastic results. The Calstock Young Pretenders were placed an amazing 26th overall (second fastest gig), particularly impressive as they are only in their first season.

Tavistock and Tamar boats Tamar and Ginette were 60th and 124th respectively, and the other Calstock boats Ginster and Cream of Cornwall 180th and 181st. All crews finished with times of under three hours.

Both clubs will now be busy preparing for the next big event; the Isles of Scilly World Championships next May.